Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is set to break free from the first losing streak of his career as he prepares to take on French contender Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 in Riyadh on Saturday, as reported by PUNCH Sports Extra.
The 35-year-old fighter, originally from Nigeria but now representing New Zealand, lost his belt to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 and suffered another setback against Dricus du Plessis at UFC 305 last August. However, Adesanya remains optimistic about his future in the sport.
“Even if I lose my next 10 fights, my legacy remains intact. This fight matters to me, not to anyone else. It’s about proving to myself that I still belong in this game, that I’m still evolving, and that I remain a dangerous fighter,” Adesanya stated.
For the first time in six years and across a dozen fights, the former champion will step into the Octagon without a title at stake. Throughout his 13-year mixed martial arts career, Adesanya has amassed an impressive record of 24 victories, including 16 knockouts, with only four defeats.
Recently, the Nigerian-born star sparked debates about his career trajectory after casually referring to himself as a “gatekeeper” in the UFC.
“I used the term ‘gatekeeper’ as a joke,” he clarified. “I see myself as the veteran, and these young fighters are trying to make a name for themselves. My job is to send them back down and remind them that I’m still here.”
As he prepares for this crucial bout, Adesanya has made key adjustments to his training and lifestyle, marking his return as the headliner for UFC’s second event in Saudi Arabia.
“For this camp, I focused on my work while cutting out distractions—people and places that don’t align with my ultimate goal. I made a few changes to ensure I stay on the right path in this sport,” he revealed on The Ariel Helwani Show.
Standing opposite him is the 28-year-old Imavov, who comes into the fight riding a three-bout winning streak, most recently securing a victory over Brendan Allen in September. Known as ‘The Russian Sniper,’ Imavov is looking to extend his unbeaten run to five fights and solidify himself as a title contender.
Both competitors successfully hit the 185-pound middleweight limit at Friday’s weigh-in, despite concerns over a cryptic message Adesanya posted on social media just hours before.
A victory for the former champion could bring him one step closer to another shot at the belt or a top-contender clash, reinforcing his presence at the top of the division.
“I’m always in the title conversation because I’m Israel Adesanya. My achievements in this sport speak for themselves,” he said in an interview with Stake.com.
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